Crackdown on online crime

Figures show there’s been an increase in con artists gaining access to victim’s bank cards, cheque or online accounts details.

The county’s force are issuing the following advice to help you keep safe:

· Do not give any personal information to organisations or people before verifying they are genuine;

· Do not click on phishing emails. Banks and other financial organisations will not ask you to click on a link to confirm details;

· Shred receipts with your card details on and post with your name and address on;

· Install up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall on your computer and ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring to prevent malware issues and computer crimes;

· If you receive bills, invoices or receipts for things you haven’t bought or have received post about outstanding debts, take action because your identity may have been stolen;

· Get regular copies of your credit file and check it for entries you don’t recognise;

· Be extremely wary of post, phone calls or emails offering you business deals out of the blue. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is;

· When paying on-line only use a secure site and avoid using your debit card. Unlike credit cards debit cards don’t always offer payment protection, and if compromised put your main account at risk.

For more advice about fraud or to find partner organisations helping to combat fraud, please visit https://www.essex.police.uk/advice/fraud/,

If you have been a victim or know someone who has been a victim or fraud, please call 101, report it online by visiting https://www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.